'DeBird 2' Is Down, But Karol's OK | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-FlightTraining-07.10.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.11.25

Wed, Jul 20, 2011

'DeBird 2' Is Down, But Karol's OK

Innovative Homebuilt Jump-Gyroplane Hit By Turbulence On Takeoff

One of the more interesting and unusual aircraft profiled by Aero TV at last year's annual Popular Rotorcraft Association convention at Mentone, IN is described as a total loss after a weekend accident in Michigan.

Acclaimed experimental aircraft builder Dick DeGrawbuilt the machine for his wife, Karol, and she dubbed it "DeBird 2." The aircraft was a gyroplane which combined a collective pitch control with a powerful prerotator to allow vertical or "jump" takeoffs, and according to a family friend, it was immediately after such a takeoff from a field near the couple's home, in Napoleon Township in Jackson County, Michigan, that turbulence at tree-top level caused a loss of control.

Karol DeGraw is said to have only a few bumps and bruises, but the Associated Press reports she was taken to a hospital for evaluation after the accident Friday morning.


Karol DeGraw

Dick DeGraw is a legend among experimental rotorcraft enthusiasts. A former motorcycle racer and mechanic, and self-taught machinist and designer, his first aircraft was a scratch-built, deep-intermeshing twin-rotor helicopter which has logged 650 hours and is still flying. "DeBird 2" was built after Karol said she wanted to join him on flights in his original "Gyrhino," another single-place, jump-takeoff gyroplane.

FMI: www.aero-tv.net/index.cfm?videoid=960dfebb-e729-4819-ade0-0221034e4c5a

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Aviat A1

Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.08.25)

Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: Fly Corvair’s Reliable Engine Alternative

From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]

ANN FAQ: Contributing To Aero-TV

How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]

Classic Aero-TV: CiES Fuel-Quantity and e-Throttle Systems Praised

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC